Wednesday, January 11, 2012

A Bit of Maxine in Us All


I have done just bits of sewing - nothing major to show. Monday was groceries and a trip to the LQS with my SIL. I have turned over my space, machine, and time to help her make her first quilt. We shopped my stash first and then got the fill-ins.


This is the quilt she is making - in a mix of purples, pinks, greens, flowers, stripes, dots, butterflies - we pulled charms from 3 different packs. And a dark purple for border with pretty lilac for back. And she decided to make the flowers in black dot - using same for binding. We changed it up to a 12 block center for a more rectangular quilt - adjusted measurements. The top is done, basted out, and ready for quilting - hopefully she will let me share her and it on the blog - she is doing such a super job - and more importantly, having FUN.


I'm sure I am missing some things here, but the beginning of the year has been a lucky one. Lots of pattern wins and some FQs sent by a friend as an unexpected 'thank you'. It all started with Shell's lovely 12 of Hearts win and has been followed since. I even have Traveling Stash Box #3 coming from Miki - how fun!


I received this baggy of scraps from a fellow member of our quilt guild - I am challenging myself to see what and how many little things I can make from this , so I can show&tell the next meeting. Just some fun - one item has already been finished, but you will have to wait till the pile is used up to see what evolved.

Until I am finished helping my SIL, I will be on a slow mode (but enjoying seeing her excitement)- to be sure, I will grab a few minutes for myself. BUT I would like to share another blogger's exciting work in MINIS - just love them so and got her permission to link her up. Please visit Wilma at Wilma's World and be inspired to give some mini quilts a try.



This is just one of Wilma's beautiful pieces. So please go visit and leave her a comment.

CLOSING THOUGHT

Slow me down Lord
Ease the pounding of my heart
by the quieting of my mind.

Steady my hurried pace
with a vision of the eternal march of time.
Give me amid the confusion of the day,
the calmness of the eternal hills.

Break the tension of my nerves and muscles
with the soothing music of the singing streams
that live in my memory.

Help me to know the magical restoring power of sleep.

Teach me the art of taking MINUTE vacations,
Of slowing down to look at a flower,
to chat with a friend, to pat a dog,
to read a few lines of a good book.

Slow me down Lord
and inspire me to send my roots
deep into the soil of life's enduring values
that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny.
- ANON -

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

16 comments:

rooee said...

I hope you get to share your SIL's first quilt. It sounds so striking in the colorways described. I was about to start on something for me and that bad UPS man brought me some customer quilts. oh well.
we have a red and white challenge at guild any suggestions?????

Wilma Lee said...

Thanks for the plug Sharon. And I love Maxine!!!

StitchinByTheLake said...

I am totally amazed that she tackled that beautiful quilt as her first! I can't wait to see it...she's lucky yo have you to teach her. I love the poem. It's very timely for me because I'm trying very hard to do just that..slow down! Blessings, Marlene

Miss Hillbilly said...

I think it is so fun to teach new quilters. Almost as fun as quilting ourselves!

I do like Wanda's mini's. I have been wanting to make mini's for awhile. I actually have one planned for this weekend. Finally!!

JudyCinNC said...

Maxine said it all - somedays ... I love your SIL's first quilt project - a lot of learning techniques in that one and will be a beauty. She is lucky to have your guidance. Warm wishes from Judy C

Belinda said...

I love Maxine and that poem at the end of your post. Nice!

Sarah Craig said...

Love that mini quilt! The colors are amazing!! Can't wait to see your SIL's quilt - she is lucky to have such a good teacher.... And Maxine is the bomb, isn't she? So true.... And I love the poem at the end of your post - I took a "minute" vacation to watch some deer in my yard just this morning! Thanks for sharing!!

Sheila said...

Gotta love Maxine.
SIL doing great on her first quilt. So much fun seeing quilting newbies.
Wilma's little quilts are cute. I'm all thumbs when I try such small projects. My hat is off to her.
Thoughtful poem. Thank you for sharing.

sandra said...

I love teaching someone new to quilt and to bring them into our happy gang. I finally started to get your blog, I don't know why it took so long but I am doing a happy dance.
Blessings Sandra

Denise :) said...

Great opener *and* closer today!! How fun to be able to help your sister-in-law with her first quilt!!! I hope you both have a blast! :)

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Love Maxine....What more do you want?....LOL

This line from your closing thoughts is for you for sure:

Help me to know the magical restoring power of sleep.

Snoodles said...

What fun, that she is working on her very first quilt -- watch out; she might get addicted like all of us! LOL Love the poem that closes your post...so real, and so sweet.

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Love Maxine and congrat's to SIL on her first quilt! Woo hoo!
Beautiful closing poem girlfriend.
Hugs

Barb said...

I love your quilt!!!! It is adorable!

Michele said...

Maxine made me chuckle.I can't wait to see how the SIL's quilt comes out.

Pattilou said...

Oh, I hope your SIL will let you share her quilt. It sounds intriguing to say the least! Love Maxine and the quote at the end of your post is perfect for winter, when I do tend to slow a bit. Enjoy your respite, it sounds like it is feeding your soul.